MONTAGUE, MI – At age 35, Kevin Erb has fallen in love with elected office.

Erb – who until recently was the mayor of Montague – is a candidate in the Republican primary election for the 91st district seat in the Michigan House of Representatives.

"I like doing this sort of thing," Erb said. "I like talking to people. ... I like listening to their ideas and concerns."

Erb has worked as an independent insurance agent for nine years. He is a lifelong resident of Muskegon County. He and his wife Sarah have four children together. He is working on a bachelor's degree in business administration from Baker College.

"When I was the mayor, I got the chance to sit on several different boards and committees, and I just fell in love with it," he said. "I just look forward to meeting people and hearing their concerns and making sure their voice is heard."

Erb is competing against former state representative Holly Hughes and longtime area candidate Max Riekse for the Republican nomination. The winning Republican nominee will challenge incumbent Collene Lamonte, D-Montague, and any other independent candidates. The deadline for independent candidates to run for office hasn't passed yet, but former Muskegon County Commissioner Alan Jager already has announced his intention to run as an independent candidate.

It's a crowded race, but Erb said he hopes to beat the whole crowd. He's not targeted on beating any one of his challengers in particular.

As an elected representative, Erb's legislative priorities would include economic development and promoting education and college degree completion. He also would like to see more taxpayer dollars redirected towards fixing Michigan roads, although he wouldn't support more taxes to paying for road maintenance.

"I think the money is already there, it's just being filtered other places," Erb said.

Erb said he is in the process of planning a number of campaign events and launching a web site.